File #: O-505-20    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 12/4/2020 In control: Human Resources Department
On agenda: 12/15/2020 Final action: 12/15/2020
Title: Authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Law to enter into any necessary agreements with the law firm of Spengler Nathanson to provide professional assistance for the City of Toledo in labor contract negotiations and related matters; authorizing the Director of Finance to draw warrants and to make any necessary expenditures in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for a period of two years for this purpose; and declaring an emergency.
Attachments: 1. Speaking Points

Label

Outside Counsel for Collective Bargaining Services

Human Resources

Tyrome Alexander x1031

 

Title

Authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Law to enter into any necessary agreements with the law firm of Spengler Nathanson to provide professional assistance for the City of Toledo in labor contract negotiations and related matters; authorizing the Director of Finance to draw warrants and to make any necessary expenditures in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for a period of two years for this purpose; and declaring an emergency.

 

Body

SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:

Collective bargaining will be occurring at the end of this year and most of next year with the City’s non-uniformed and uniformed bargaining units. Pursuant to Chapter 4117 of the Ohio Revised Code and by agreements with the labor unions, that bargaining must follow a highly structured process that may culminate in Fact Finding and other proceedings.  As in prior years, extremely significant issues will arise affecting all City operations, including police and fire protection, street maintenance, parks provisions, public utilities, and other important public services, involving millions of dollars in labor costs.   The City’s Chief of Bargaining and Negotiation resigned earlier this year and has not been replaced.  Therefore, outside legal assistance is necessary at this time.   The lawyers at the firm of Spengler Nathanson have considerable experience and expertise representing public employers in labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining.  Council has authorized previous contracts with this firm for employment - related matters and the firm has proven itself to be capable and diligent in the provision of legal services to the City.

 

Summary

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:

 

                     SECTION 1. That the Mayor and the Director of Law are authorized to enter into any necessary agreements with the law firm of Spengler Nathanson to provide professional assistance for the City of Toledo in labor contract negotiations and related matters.  Said contract shall contain such terms and conditions as the Mayor and the Director of Law may deem requisite and proper and as are consistent herewith, and shall be subject to approval as to form by the Department of Law.

 

                     SECTION 2. That the Director of Finance be and is hereby authorized to draw a warrant or warrants against Human Resources Account No. 1001-17100-1156001STDSTD in payment of obligations authorized hereunder upon presentation of proper voucher or vouchers therefore in an accumulative amount not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

 

                     SECTION 3. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective so that City’s interest may be protected during collective bargaining proceedings.

 

                     Vote on emergency clause:  yeas _____, nays _____.

 

                     Passed:  _________________, as an emergency measure:  yeas _____, nays _____.

 

 

Attest:  ________________________                                              __________________________________

                            Clerk of Council                                                                           President of Council

 

                     

Approved:  _____________________                                          __________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Mayor

 

 

                     I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.

 

 

Attest:  ________________________

                    Clerk of Council